to hand in my resignation by email?

[lottielou39]

am self employed; have worked there for about two years. Am 4 months into maternity leave and due back in June. Not going back. Have had a mostly email communication with work so far. Am shitting myself at having to phone them (don't think they'll be arsey or surprised, but I hate those sort of conversations) and wondered if I could get away with an email to my boss? She emailed me herself when things were looking dodgy at work and the threat of redundancies were looming, (although it's not quite the same when you're self employed like I am!), so I wondered if I could email her to say I'm not going back? How much info should I give? There are several reasons I'm not going back, including cost of daycare for 3, logistics of it, wanting to be with my kids at home etc..when I stopped work to have my baby, I was adamant that I was returning, so I want to explain properly and not have them all assuming I was a liar and had no intention to return. (I 100% did).
Can I get away with a carefully worded email?

I'd grow a pair and have a meeting to explain yourself, they might not get the right tone from your email and assume you've lied. I know it's scary but you can do it!

no but why dont you write a letter and post it, old stylee.

Then 4 days later send an email asking if they had received your letter.

I always find that these things get bigger and bigger in my head until they're monster sized, but once you actually bite the bullet & make the call they are never as bad as you thought and you can feel like it's been dealt properly.

It's very easy for an email to be mis-interpreted, however in a conversation you can make sure all your points are made and understood - I'd suggest writing down everything you want to say before you call.

There are some things that need explaining properly and IMO a resignation is one, it's a respect thing if nothing else, and you may need a reference later...

Your boss may not be too bothered considering you mentioned her telling you about redundancies so don't worry too much. Do things is style here OP. Ask to pop in and see her to let her know. For the following reasons:

Finish things on a nice note.
You may need a reference.
You may want to go back in the future.

Get them big girl pants out

I would do that face to face to be honest. It's good to part well. You may go back later on. It shouldn't be confrontational - I'm sure they will understand - it happens all the time. Anyway I think they will need it in writing for their records at some point anyway.

I agree that a phone call at the least, a visit would be best. You want to part on good terms (future reference, networking etc) and as previous poster mentioned, emails can be misunderstood.
there is no need for it to be a confrontation, just a quick conversation outlining your reasons and formalising the leaving date etc.

oh dear, looks like I need to bite the bullet and make that phone call.
Dreading it!